27 things to do in Vancouver this Thanksgiving long weekend

The Thanksgiving Long Weekend is here and Vancouver is full of fun fall events to enjoy! From Vancouver Canucks to a Pumpkin Drop and more, here are 27 events to check out this Thanksiving Long Weekend.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

Saturday, October 7 2017

Vancouver Canucks versus Edmonton Oilers

• What: The Vancouver Canucks face off with the Edmonton Oilers on October 7 at Rogers Arena.
• When: October 7
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online

Harvest Full Moon Festival

• What: City Centre’s 3rd Annual Harvest Full Moon Festival features activities, entertainment and a procession. Complimentary mooncakes and tea will be served. All ages are welcome, but children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
• When: Saturday, October 7
• Time: 6 to 8:30 pm
• Where: City Centre Community Centre – 5900 Minoru Blvd, Burnaby
• Price: Free

Stewart Farm Birthday Party

• What: Celebrate eldest Stewart son William’s birthday with popcorn and hot apple cider while playing old-fashioned parlor games such as Shut the Box or Marble Shooters.
• When: October 7
• Time: Noon to 3 pm
• Where: Historic Stewart Farm – 13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey
• Price: Free

Salamander Searchers

• What: ​Learn about the intriquing amphibians that hide by day and hunt by night. Ages 6 to 9
• When: Saturday, October 7
• Time: 10 am to noon
• Where: Belcarra Regional Park
• Admission: $4.25 per child, registration required.  Barcode 7062

Chris Hadfield’s Canada 150 Tour

• What: The shows will be a celebration of the nation through a series of stories, songs, images, and ideas by Chris Hadfield. As an astronaut who is proud to call Canada home, Hadfield has a unique perspective seeing the world from a different point of view.
• When: Saturday, October 7
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe St, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online at Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, $19-$95

Tsawwassen Farmers’ Market

• What: Stock up on fresh local produce, along with artisanal foods. A handful of food trucks will also be in attendance.
• When: Saturday, October 7
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: 5360 12th Avenue (at 53A Street), Tsawwassen

Phantom Signal Season 3

• What: Phantom Signal returns with another season of macabre madness. Original old-timey-radio-horror-comedy performed live by Jayson McDonald, Andrew Bailey and Tara Travis, accompanied by the best of the best musical guests.
• When: October 7
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Little Mountain Gallery – 195 East 26th Avenue, Vancouver
• Tickets: At the door, $10

BC Lions versus Ottawa Redblacks

• What: Head to BC Place to cheer on the Lions as they face off with the Redblacks.
• When: October 7
• Time: 4 pm
• Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $24-$139

Fort Langley Cranberry Festival

• What: The day-long event includes food, kids activities, entertainment, contests, over 70 vendors, and, of course, fresh cranberries. In addition, a number of cranberry-themed events will also take place at the Fort Langley National Historic Site during the Festival.
• When: Saturday, October 7
• Time: 10 am to 4 pm
• Where: 9167 Glover Rd – Fort Langley
• Cost: Free

Vancouver International Film Festival: Totally Indie Day

• What: Presented by STORYHIVE, a community-powered funding program for emerging content creators in BC and Alberta, the dynamic one-day event will provide real insights and hands-on advice from experienced film industry pros and rising new talent.
• When: October 7
• Time: 9 am to 6 pm
• Where: Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour St, Vancouver
• Price: $125 All Day pass | $75 Morning Session | $95 Afternoon Session – Tickets available  via VIFF

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Imagine Dragons

• What: Grammy-award winners Imagine Dragons, who made their mark with their smash hit single “Radioactive,” are touring in support of their third album, Evolve. They will be joined on the tour by special guests Group Love and K. Flay.
• When: Sunday, October 8
• Time: 7:30 pm
• Where: Rogers Arena – 800 Griffiths Way, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online via Live Nation

Bowen Island Applefest

• What: ​A community celebration of all things apple. Taste crunchy heritage apples, buy a homemade pie and tour the museum.
• When: Sunday October 8
• Time: 11 am to 2 pm
• Where:  Crippen Regional Park – Meet at Davies Orchard, a 100 m walk from ferry terminal.
• Admission: Free

Opera On A Sunday Afternoon

• What: Opera on a Sunday Afternoon celebrates the operatic talent of emerging professional and semi-professional opera singers in British Columbia. Presented by Burnaby Lyric Opera.
• When: October 8
• Time: 3 pm
• Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts – 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
• Tickets: Online, $15

Fred Penner

• What: Fred Penner, a Canadian icon of entertainment and inspiration for children and families, makes his long-awaited return to the VSO.
• When: October 8
• Time: 2 pm
• Where: Orpheum – 884 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online

Vancouver International Film Festival 2017

• What: Both in terms of admissions and number of films screened, VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America. The festival screen films from 70 countries on nine screens, with an international line-up including the pick of the world’s top film fests and many undiscovered gems.
• When: Now to October 13
• Where: Various venues around Vancouver
• Ticket Packs and Passes: Online

Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market

• What: You’ll find fresh groceries, locally-sourced produce, as well as artisanal food offerings at the The Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market, one of the newer kids on the Vancouver Farmers’ Market’s block.
• When: Sunday, October 8
• Time: 10 am to 2 pm
• Where: 2300 Guelph Street (Dude Chilling Park), Mount Pleasant

13: The Musical – Bring on Tomorrow Co

• What: These 18-and-under stars all have major network credits under their belts, from the CBC and Disney to Netflix. Now they’re coming together to triple-threat their way through 13, the Broadway teen musical about growing up. It’s refreshing to see teenagers portrayed by actors of that age group, many of whom will act, sing and dance to a live band.
• When: Now to October 8
• Where: Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island – 1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: At Eventbrite; $13-$34

Bass Coast Festival Showcase

• What: Featuring The Librarian, B2B, Mat the Alien, Michael Red, Barisone, and SHAHdjs
• When: Sunday, October 8
• Time: 9:30 pm
• Where: Commodore Ballroom – 867 Granville Street,
  Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $20

Octoburlesque! A feast of burlesque thanksgiving!

• What: A Thanksgiving treat of eight burlesque performances, a fabulous intermission go-go dancer, and a post-show dance party. Starring Burgundy Brixx, Sister Madly, The Purrrfessorl, DJ evilyn Thirteen and more.
  
• When: October 8
• Time: 9 pm
• Where: The Biltmore Cabaret – 2755 Prince Edward Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $10

Diwali Festival 2017

• What: A wide range of cultural events will be taking place at various locations. This includes everything from a free Diwali-themed art workshop, to a South Asian cooking class, and a massive performance at Vancouver Public Library.
• When: Now to October 17
• Where: Various locations throughout Metro Vancouver
• Price: Prices vary from Free to $20

Monday, October 9, 2017

Granville Island Turkey Trot

• What: The Granville Island Turkey Trot brings together communities in a celebration of Thanksgiving – demonstrating gratitude for the sport and commitment to supporting others. Run, walk or stroll around Vancouver’s False Creek Seawall.
• When: October 9
• Where: Granville Island
• Registraion: Online

Thanksgiving Toonie Skate

• What: Family-friendly activities and ice skating on Thanksgiving Monday.
• When: Monday, October 9
• Time: 11:30 am to 3 pm
• Where: Kensington Recreation Complex – 6159 Curtis Street
  Burnaby, BC
• Price: $2 Skates and helmet included in admission fee.

In Conversation: Bruce Campbell

• What: Join the King of B Movies Bruce Campbell as he discusses the hilarious, gut-wrenchingly honest confessions in his new memoir, Hail To The Chin. Book signing to follow.
• When: October 9
• Time: 7 pm
• Where: Chapters Metrotown
• Admission: Group Slips will be given out with the purchase of Hail To The Chin: Further Confessions Of A B Movie Actor; proof of purchase from any Indigo, Chapters, IndigoSpirit or Coles location will be accepted. Group Slips will be distributed on the day of the event; one group slip per person is needed to join the signing line.

Richmond Night Market

• What: The Richmond Night Market draws crowds from across the province who travel to taste to rows on rows of vibrant cuisine offered and check out the diverse line-up of nightly performances on to 50-foot entertainment stage.
• When: Now to October 9
• Time: Fridays and Saturdays 7 pm to Midnight, Sundays and holiday Mondays 7 to 11 pm
• Where: 8351 River Road (nearby Bridgeport Station)
• Admission: $3.75 (regular admission). Kids 10 and under, seniors 60 and up are free. Zoom pass (up to 7 visits) is $20.

Nick Murphy (Chet Faker)

• What: New York-based Australian producer and musician Nick Murphy is bringing his dynamic live show to Vancouver for two shows.
• When: October 9 and 10
• Time: 8 pm
• Where: Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street, Vancouver
• Tickets: Online, $35-$135

Annual Pumpkin Drop #17

• What: The 17th Annual Pumpkin Drop at Hell’s Gate Airtram. When you bring in a carved pumpkin, you get free admission. You also get to toss your pumpkin off of the Airtram, to targets 500 feet below, for a chance to win some cool prizes.
  
• When: October 9
• Time: 10 am to 4 pm
• Where: Hell’s Gate Airtram – 43111 Trans Canada Highway Boston Bar, Hope
• Admission: Free with a carved pumpkin

Holiday Family Fun – Thanksgiving at Sunset Community Centre

• What: A day of fun for the family on your statutory holiday! Head to Sunset Community Centre for a play gym (including a bouncy castle), arts and crafts, games, and more. A healthy snack concession will be available.
  
• When: October 9
• Time: 11 am to 1 pm
• Where: Sunset Community Centre – 6810 Main Street, Vancouver
• Cost: Free